Prep Baseball Report

Digging In: 10 Super 60 Revelations



By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

The collective talent at the 14th Annual Super 60 was impressive, especially given it was early February. Already, National Supervisor Nathan Rode wrote about his personal highlights, in addition to the Super 60 version of The Hotlist.

Here, I look at my personal revelations from several individual performances on Sunday. By no means is this my list of the best players at the event, though many of the below names would certainly be in there. No, this list consists of players who surprised, improved, emerged to the fore, flew under the radar, etc.  

Joey Wentz1. Joey Wentz, LHP, Shawnee Mission East HS, KS
Of all the standout performances at the 14th Annual Super 60, Wentz stole the show, chiefly because no one had seen the Virginia recruit on the mound in more than a year. Wentz had built his reputation for his big left-handed power bat, which he put on display at the Under Armour All-America Game home run derby. But at the Super 60, the highly projectable 6-foot-5, 220-pound left-hander decided to only pitch. His decision may likely have elevated his draft status as one of the top left-handed prospects in the 2016 class. Long, lean and athletic, Wentz’s fastball sat at 92 mph, topping at 93, with late arm-side finish. His arm works clean and effortlessly, indicating there likely is more in the tank as he fills into his frame and focuses more on pitching. His delivery is simple, balanced and athletic; stays tall and works downhill well. Wentz’s secondary is still a work in progress. He showed some feel for his 79-82 mph changeup; curveball had erratic shape at 75-76 mph. With his athleticism, frame and arm action, Wentz has put himself on the map as a high-priority left-handed prospect this spring.

Cole Duensing2. Cole Duensing, RHP, Blue Valley Northwest HS, KS
In an already loaded Kansas draft class, Duensing established himself as another high-priority prospect. While most Kansas area scouts knew Duensing would likely open eyes at the Super 60, what the Kansas State recruit did far exceeded expectations. At 6-foot-4, 178 pounds, Duensing is long-limbed, baby-faced and physically immature. All of which bodes extremely well, given his present stuff and arm speed proved to be one of the best at the entire event. Working from a high-3/4 slot, slight cross-fire, loose and athletic, his fastball sat 91-93 with hard, late arm-side finish. Showed ability to throw strikes with three pitches, feel for all three. Curveball ranged between 76-79 mph, slurvy shape, lacked depth, likely develop into true slider. Throws 78-82 mph changeup with conviction, late arm-side sink when down in the zone.  In all, Duensing was arguably the highest-upside right-hander at the Super 60.

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